Jacob Hendricks
A Columbus Parks and Recreation Department employee is being honored for leadership and service in his field.
Recreation Manager Jacob Hendricks has received the 2021 Young Professional Award from the Indiana Park and Recreation Association. City officials announced the news Thursday.
“Individuals like Jacob are built for times like now where the ability to pivot in an instant and reach into a pool of bottomless creativity are essential strengths,” said Associate Director of Recreation Nikki Murphy. “People like Jacob rise to the top and not only meet, but exceed all expectations. This distinguished award is truly hard earned and incredibly deserved.”
According to the association, the Young Professional award is given to a parks and recreation professional who “exhibits the attributes of an emerging leader, as displayed through their initiative, innovation, and contributions to the park and recreation field.”
Nominees should also have a record of career advancement, be involved in professional or community organizations and show “outstanding service” to their department.
Hendricks is a graduate of Anderson University and joined the local parks department in May of 2019. According to city officials, he took quick initiative to “transform the recreation programs at parks” and began by hosting the first eSports event at Donner Center.
“Then, in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, Jacob revolutionized Columbus’ entire summer day camp program by preparing various Camp-in-a-Box programs that enabled kids to experience a week’s worth of camp activities from home such as games, crafts, and even hosting Facebook Live events,” officials said.
Hendricks’ other work amid the pandemic has included navigating COVID-19 protocol changes for in-person events such as the downtown Farmers Market and hosting a virtual trivia night on the Columbus Parks Facebook page. The event began as a way to give families a social activity to enjoy during isolation in the summer of 2020.
